<p>The government has mandated all homestays and resorts to get approval from the local police station and the forest department before taking tourists to deserted areas. </p><p>In a circular issued on Monday, the government said every resort and homestay in the state must give the undertaking by March 18.</p><p>The circular clearly mentions that in case of non-compliance, the homestay owner will be held accountable for any untoward incident faced by the tourists during their visit. This comes in the wake of the rape of two women, including an Israeli citizen, and a homestay operator last week. </p><p>The government has assured that strict patrolling of tourist destinations will be conducted to ensure the safety of tourists. </p><p>Salma K Fahim, secretary to the department of tourism, told <em>DH</em> that all homestays would have to mandatorily register online under the Karnataka Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act, 2015, so that their surveillance can be enhanced. </p>.Hampi has a problem: Unregistered homestays.<p>“We will ensure that all registered homestays are listed on the department of tourism website,” she said, adding that homestay owners will be provided training to better manage their services in an emergency. </p><p>“Consultation meetings will be held with homestay associations, district authorities and government agencies to identify gaps and develop policy-level solutions,” she said. </p><p>S Mahalingaiah, secretary of Karnataka Tourism Society, told DH, that normally, package tours with agencies were planned well in advance and that agencies avoid bookings in unregistered homestays in “elusive places.”</p><p>He said that the incident in Anegundi was unfortunate and should not have happened. </p><p>Earlier, Home Minister G Parameshwara said, “Security measures will be significantly strengthened to ensure safety of foreign tourists in the state.”</p><p>The minister said, going forward, tourists visiting Karnataka will be briefed on the dos and don’ts. </p>
<p>The government has mandated all homestays and resorts to get approval from the local police station and the forest department before taking tourists to deserted areas. </p><p>In a circular issued on Monday, the government said every resort and homestay in the state must give the undertaking by March 18.</p><p>The circular clearly mentions that in case of non-compliance, the homestay owner will be held accountable for any untoward incident faced by the tourists during their visit. This comes in the wake of the rape of two women, including an Israeli citizen, and a homestay operator last week. </p><p>The government has assured that strict patrolling of tourist destinations will be conducted to ensure the safety of tourists. </p><p>Salma K Fahim, secretary to the department of tourism, told <em>DH</em> that all homestays would have to mandatorily register online under the Karnataka Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act, 2015, so that their surveillance can be enhanced. </p>.Hampi has a problem: Unregistered homestays.<p>“We will ensure that all registered homestays are listed on the department of tourism website,” she said, adding that homestay owners will be provided training to better manage their services in an emergency. </p><p>“Consultation meetings will be held with homestay associations, district authorities and government agencies to identify gaps and develop policy-level solutions,” she said. </p><p>S Mahalingaiah, secretary of Karnataka Tourism Society, told DH, that normally, package tours with agencies were planned well in advance and that agencies avoid bookings in unregistered homestays in “elusive places.”</p><p>He said that the incident in Anegundi was unfortunate and should not have happened. </p><p>Earlier, Home Minister G Parameshwara said, “Security measures will be significantly strengthened to ensure safety of foreign tourists in the state.”</p><p>The minister said, going forward, tourists visiting Karnataka will be briefed on the dos and don’ts. </p>